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Lucy Ramm, from Sleaford, said it is the sentimental value of the Buddha not the monetary value that matters to her.

She said: "They have picked it up and taken it some time in the last week.

"I came down to tend to my grandmother's grave and I saw it had gone.

"My grandmother was a big fan of Buddhas in her house, but he was her favourite. My aunt bought it for her from a garden centre but she thought it was too much money, so it was a surprise present for her.

"She used to rub its head for good luck and that's why it means so much to us."

The 29-year-old added that her grandmother died in November last year so the statue has been there for around six months. The family were using it as a headstone while a permanent one is made.

Lucy Ramm with her grandmother, Tina Bawcombe. A Buddha was stolen from her grave

She said: "It's a Buddha statue that is made of stone and it's about 30cm high by 30cm wide.

"I have also spoken to another lady and she saw that her husband's gnome had gone off the grave. There is a cat that's gone from another grave too so that's three things missing."

She added that she heard another item had also been taken from the crematorium area.

"I have spoken to the groundsman and they say they haven't found anything - if they moved it then they would have told us about it.

"We hope that people come forward if they see it on a car boot - we will reimburse any money paid for it. It's the memory we have lost not the object."

Another person who has been affected by the thefts is Mary Molloy, 50, who is also from Sleaford. The Nottingham Forest gnome was taken from her husband's grave.

She said: "He was a big Nottingham Forest fan - he was born in Nottingham and followed it all his life.

"It was about 10 inches high and it was cheering on its knees as if it had scored a goal.

"This is really hurtful.

"It's stooping so low - what would they think if someone stole from their family if they had someone [in the cemetery]."

Following the incidents, Sleaford Town Council has arranged for security patrols to be made at the burial ground as well as a number of other security measures.

A spokesman for the council said: "The council remains in close contact with the local police and NKDC’s Community Safety Team regarding the thefts from grave tops and other anti-social behaviour at the cemetery."

Any further incidents should be reported to the council on 01529 303456.